On Monday, Oct. 25, the planning commission will hold a public

hearing on Puget Western’s proposed development named Falls Crossing.

The development site is located east of the Snoqualmie Ridge at the Parkway

and the intersection at Hwy. 202.

After many revised proposals, Puget Western intends to build

approximately 370 residences on 182 acres. Single and multi-family

structures are proposed. Falls Crossing would also include 55,000 to

75,000 square feet of village retail space, 45,000 to 85,000 square feet of

neighborhood retail space and 70,000 to 100,000 square feet of office

space development.

Issues of concern about this project have been many, hence the many

revisions for the project and the number of times a master site plan has

been submitted (this is the third time since 1995). Have the issues changed?

1. Maintaining our community atmosphere. This large development

at the edge of town on our main arterial (Hwy. 202) changes the “look

and feel” of Snoqualmie’s small town atmosphere.

2. Maintain and enhance rural character. Traffic from 85 percent

of the residents commuting to jobs outside the area gives the appearance

of a commuter town.

3. Preserve and protect scenic areas. Puget Western, through their

final environmental impact statement, says they cannot assure that the

project will not be seen from the observation decks and walkways at

Snoqualmie Falls. This is a historic site.

4. Preserve community character. Changing a wooded area to a

strictly urban use, where the area is the gateway to our city, diminishes plans

for preserving and enhancing the Snoqualmie corridor along Hwy.

202. This area is a scenic asset to our city.

5. Traffic. We have all noticed a change in the amount of traffic

on Hwy. 202. The ridge project is not finished, and so we have yet to see

what kinds of traffic we are really dealing with.

6. Flooding. The impacts on the community in terms of flooding

are not clear. We do know that a hillside covered in trees and brush holds

more water than a clear-cut, paved area. This is a major concern to citizens that

have flooded four times since 1986.

Other concerns include the kinds of jobs that will be provided to

our citizens by the retail and office spaces, and the effects on our public

safety departments to provide services and on schools to provide education

and transportation to the new residents.

Your input is crucial! The public hearing starts Monday, Oct. 25,

at Snoqualmie Middle School at 7 p.m. and continues Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Please come with specific comments on your concerns. Your attendance at this

meeting goes a long way in showing our city administrators how you feel

about new developments in our town!

Marcia Korich-Vega

Snoqualmie